MINNEAPOLIS -- The home run hit by Detroit's J.D. Martinez
landed on the emptied metal benches in lower left field, causing a
clanging noise that was audible throughout the eerily quiet ballpark.
That was the sound of defeat near the end of a long Wednesday night for postseason-chasing Minnesota.
Ian Kinsler's two-out RBI single preceded the two-run drive by Martinez in the top of the 12th inning, pushing the Tigers past the Twins 7-4.
The Twins stayed 1 1/2 games behind Houston for the second American League wild card spot, after the Astros lost to Texas.
"It's disappointing. You're going to have these kinds of losses. They're kind of magnified with where we're at," Twins manager Paul Molitor said. "You try to learn from it."
Brian Duensing (4-1) was responsible for the 12th after temporary closer Kevin Jepsen took his first blown save in eight attempts with Minnesota. The first pitch was delayed 56 minutes because of rain, and the game finally ended at 12:23 a.m. local time.
"We have to keep our mind positive," said Twins starter Ervin Santana, who pitched seven strong innings after recovering from a two-run double in the first by Tyler Collins.
Ian Krol (2-3), the ninth Tigers pitcher, got the last nine outs for the victory while allowing only one walk. He stranded the two runners he inherited with no outs in the 10th.
"It was a lot of fun," Krol said, "but it was also very exhausting."
Jefry Marte hit a two-run single in the four-hit ninth against Jepsen. Then the Twins got one back in the bottom of the inning as Bruce Rondon took his third blown save in eight tries for Detroit, walking Miguel Sano to start and surrendering the tying double to Trevor Plouffe.
Eddie Rosario, who hit a home run in the third inning, delivered the go-ahead RBI single in the seventh against Drew VerHagen.
"A lot of chances tonight, but that's baseball. It happens," Rosario said. "Everybody tried to win, but not tonight, maybe tomorrow."
Daniel Norris came off the disabled list to start for the Tigers on a strict pitch count that limited him to 3 2/3 innings. The Twins had only two hits through the sixth, but Joe Mauer walked to start the seventh and stretch his streak of reaching base to 36 consecutive games.
Sano followed with his second double of the game. Hunter's single off third baseman Marte's glove gave VerHagen his first run allowed in 12 appearances. Then Rosario met Detroit's third reliever, Blaine Hardy, with the big hit.
Santana, who had three double plays turned behind him, has logged 29 innings over his last four starts and allowed just 22 hits, six walks and five runs with 32 strikeouts.
HICKS MISTAKES
Aaron Hicks made the last out of the sixth when he strayed too far on a fly out to left and was doubled up before he could retreat to second. Then he overthrew the cutoff man from right field in the ninth, trying to nab Steven Moya at third base while allowing Collins to move up to second. Marte's clutch single came next.
"It's just basic fundamental baseball," Molitor said.
NOLASCO NEWS
RHP Ricky Nolasco threw a sharp bullpen session Wednesday, and Molitor used the words "professionalism" and "hunger" in praising Nolasco's effort to return from right ankle surgery this season. The Twins have a six-man rotation, so the only chance for Nolasco to pitch while the Twins are in contention would be in relief.
"I'm proud of what he's done to get himself ready," Molitor said.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Tigers: RHP Anibal Sanchez saw Dr. James Andrews in Pensacola, Florida, where an MRI showed no structural damage to his shoulder. He received a platelet-rich plasma injection and was formally shut down for the rest of the season.
Twins: LHP Glen Perkins looked good in his bullpen session, Molitor said, and the closer should be ready for game action by Friday. Jepsen has been handling the ninth inning for Perkins, who's been out with a bad back since Sept. 1.
UP NEXT
Tigers: After a day off Thursday, Detroit returns home to host division-leading Kansas City. RHP Justin Verlander (3-8, 3.58 ERA) pitches Friday for the Tigers, opposite RHP Johnny Cueto (9-12, 3.47 ERA) of the Royals.
Twins: This 10-game homestand continues for Minnesota on Thursday against wild-card competitor Los Angeles, with LHP Tommy Milone (8-5, 3.73 ERA) taking the mound for the Twins against LHP Hector Santiago (8-9, 3.21 ERA) of the Angels.
That was the sound of defeat near the end of a long Wednesday night for postseason-chasing Minnesota.
Ian Kinsler's two-out RBI single preceded the two-run drive by Martinez in the top of the 12th inning, pushing the Tigers past the Twins 7-4.
The Twins stayed 1 1/2 games behind Houston for the second American League wild card spot, after the Astros lost to Texas.
"It's disappointing. You're going to have these kinds of losses. They're kind of magnified with where we're at," Twins manager Paul Molitor said. "You try to learn from it."
Brian Duensing (4-1) was responsible for the 12th after temporary closer Kevin Jepsen took his first blown save in eight attempts with Minnesota. The first pitch was delayed 56 minutes because of rain, and the game finally ended at 12:23 a.m. local time.
"We have to keep our mind positive," said Twins starter Ervin Santana, who pitched seven strong innings after recovering from a two-run double in the first by Tyler Collins.
Ian Krol (2-3), the ninth Tigers pitcher, got the last nine outs for the victory while allowing only one walk. He stranded the two runners he inherited with no outs in the 10th.
"It was a lot of fun," Krol said, "but it was also very exhausting."
Jefry Marte hit a two-run single in the four-hit ninth against Jepsen. Then the Twins got one back in the bottom of the inning as Bruce Rondon took his third blown save in eight tries for Detroit, walking Miguel Sano to start and surrendering the tying double to Trevor Plouffe.
Eddie Rosario, who hit a home run in the third inning, delivered the go-ahead RBI single in the seventh against Drew VerHagen.
"A lot of chances tonight, but that's baseball. It happens," Rosario said. "Everybody tried to win, but not tonight, maybe tomorrow."
Daniel Norris came off the disabled list to start for the Tigers on a strict pitch count that limited him to 3 2/3 innings. The Twins had only two hits through the sixth, but Joe Mauer walked to start the seventh and stretch his streak of reaching base to 36 consecutive games.
Sano followed with his second double of the game. Hunter's single off third baseman Marte's glove gave VerHagen his first run allowed in 12 appearances. Then Rosario met Detroit's third reliever, Blaine Hardy, with the big hit.
Santana, who had three double plays turned behind him, has logged 29 innings over his last four starts and allowed just 22 hits, six walks and five runs with 32 strikeouts.
HICKS MISTAKES
Aaron Hicks made the last out of the sixth when he strayed too far on a fly out to left and was doubled up before he could retreat to second. Then he overthrew the cutoff man from right field in the ninth, trying to nab Steven Moya at third base while allowing Collins to move up to second. Marte's clutch single came next.
"It's just basic fundamental baseball," Molitor said.
NOLASCO NEWS
RHP Ricky Nolasco threw a sharp bullpen session Wednesday, and Molitor used the words "professionalism" and "hunger" in praising Nolasco's effort to return from right ankle surgery this season. The Twins have a six-man rotation, so the only chance for Nolasco to pitch while the Twins are in contention would be in relief.
"I'm proud of what he's done to get himself ready," Molitor said.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Tigers: RHP Anibal Sanchez saw Dr. James Andrews in Pensacola, Florida, where an MRI showed no structural damage to his shoulder. He received a platelet-rich plasma injection and was formally shut down for the rest of the season.
Twins: LHP Glen Perkins looked good in his bullpen session, Molitor said, and the closer should be ready for game action by Friday. Jepsen has been handling the ninth inning for Perkins, who's been out with a bad back since Sept. 1.
UP NEXT
Tigers: After a day off Thursday, Detroit returns home to host division-leading Kansas City. RHP Justin Verlander (3-8, 3.58 ERA) pitches Friday for the Tigers, opposite RHP Johnny Cueto (9-12, 3.47 ERA) of the Royals.
Twins: This 10-game homestand continues for Minnesota on Thursday against wild-card competitor Los Angeles, with LHP Tommy Milone (8-5, 3.73 ERA) taking the mound for the Twins against LHP Hector Santiago (8-9, 3.21 ERA) of the Angels.
9:05PM,EDT,September 16,2015
Target Field, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Target Field, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| View: Play-By-Play | Pitch-By-Pitch | Inning: All | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 |
| Detroit - Top of 1st | SCORE | |
|---|---|---|
| Ervin Santana pitching for Minnesota | DET | MIN |
| Gose walked. | 0 | 0 |
| Kinsler lined out to third. | 0 | 0 |
| J.D. Martinez singled to left, Gose to second. | 0 | 0 |
| V. Martínez struck out looking. | 0 | 0 |
| Collins doubled to deep right, Gose and J.D. Martinez scored. | 2 | 0 |
| Marte struck out looking. | 2 | 0 |
| 2 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Minnesota - Bottom of 1st | SCORE | |
| Daniel Norris pitching for Detroit | DET | MIN |
| Hicks flied out to right. | 2 | 0 |
| Dozier struck out swinging. | 2 | 0 |
| Mauer grounded out to second. | 2 | 0 |
| 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Detroit - Top of 2nd | SCORE | |
| Ervin Santana pitching for Minnesota | DET | MIN |
| McCann flied out to right. | 2 | 0 |
| Avila grounded out to second. | 2 | 0 |
| Romine singled to right center. | 2 | 0 |
| Gose flied out to left. | 2 | 0 |
| 0 Runs, 1 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Minnesota - Bottom of 2nd | SCORE | |
| Daniel Norris pitching for Detroit | DET | MIN |
| Sanó flied out to right. | 2 | 0 |
| Plouffe grounded out to shortstop. | 2 | 0 |
| Hunter struck out swinging. | 2 | 0 |
| 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Detroit - Top of 3rd | SCORE | |
| Ervin Santana pitching for Minnesota | DET | MIN |
| Kinsler lined out to left. | 2 | 0 |
| J.D. Martinez grounded out to third. | 2 | 0 |
| V. Martínez grounded out to second. | 2 | 0 |
| 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Minnesota - Bottom of 3rd | SCORE | |
| Daniel Norris pitching for Detroit | DET | MIN |
| Rosario homered to right center (410 feet). | 2 | 1 |
| Herrmann struck out looking. | 2 | 1 |
| Escobar grounded out to shortstop. | 2 | 1 |
| Hicks popped out to second. | 2 | 1 |
| 1 Runs, 1 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Detroit - Top of 4th | SCORE | |
| Ervin Santana pitching for Minnesota | DET | MIN |
| Collins grounded out to second. | 2 | 1 |
| Marte singled to center. | 2 | 1 |
| McCann grounded into double play, pitcher to second to first, Marte out at second. | 2 | 1 |
| 0 Runs, 1 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Minnesota - Bottom of 4th | SCORE | |
| Daniel Norris pitching for Detroit | DET | MIN |
| Dozier flied out to left. | 2 | 1 |
| Mauer struck out swinging. | 2 | 1 |
| Alburquerque relieved Norris. | 2 | 1 |
| Sanó doubled to deep right. | 2 | 1 |
| Plouffe flied out to left. | 2 | 1 |
| 0 Runs, 1 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Detroit - Top of 5th | SCORE | |
| Ervin Santana pitching for Minnesota | DET | MIN |
| Avila walked. | 2 | 1 |
| Romine grounded into double play, second to shortstop to first, Avila out at second. | 2 | 1 |
| Gose walked. | 2 | 1 |
| Kinsler fouled out to first. | 2 | 1 |
| 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Minnesota - Bottom of 5th | SCORE | |
| Al Alburquerque pitching for Detroit | DET | MIN |
| Hunter grounded out to third. | 2 | 1 |
| Rosario grounded out to second. | 2 | 1 |
| Herrmann grounded out to pitcher. | 2 | 1 |
| 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Detroit - Top of 6th | SCORE | |
| Ervin Santana pitching for Minnesota | DET | MIN |
| J.D. Martinez struck out looking. | 2 | 1 |
| V. Martínez lined out to center. | 2 | 1 |
| Collins struck out swinging. | 2 | 1 |
| 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Minnesota - Bottom of 6th | SCORE | |
| Drew VerHagen pitching for Detroit | DET | MIN |
| VerHagen relieved Alburquerque. | 2 | 1 |
| Escobar grounded out to third. | 2 | 1 |
| Hicks safe at second on throwing error by shortstop Romine. | 2 | 1 |
| Dozier lined into double play, left to second, Hicks doubled off second. | 2 | 1 |
| 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 1 Errors | ||
| Detroit - Top of 7th | SCORE | |
| Ervin Santana pitching for Minnesota | DET | MIN |
| Marte walked. | 2 | 1 |
| McCann struck out swinging. | 2 | 1 |
| Avila grounded into double play, second to shortstop to first, Marte out at second. | 2 | 1 |
| 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Minnesota - Bottom of 7th | SCORE | |
| Drew VerHagen pitching for Detroit | DET | MIN |
| Mauer walked. | 2 | 1 |
| Sanó doubled to left, Mauer to third. | 2 | 1 |
| Plouffe struck out swinging. | 2 | 1 |
| Hunter singled to shallow left, Mauer scored, Sanó to third. | 2 | 2 |
| Hardy relieved VerHagen. | 2 | 2 |
| Rosario singled to right, Sanó scored, Hunter to second. | 2 | 3 |
| D. Santana hit for Herrmann. | 2 | 3 |
| A. Wilson relieved Hardy. | 2 | 3 |
| D. Santana flied out to center. | 2 | 3 |
| Escobar flied out to center. | 2 | 3 |
| 2 Runs, 3 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Detroit - Top of 8th | SCORE | |
| Casey Fien pitching for Minnesota | DET | MIN |
| Suzuki catching. | 2 | 3 |
| Fien relieved E. Santana. | 2 | 3 |
| Romine singled to right. | 2 | 3 |
| Cabrera hit for Gose. | 2 | 3 |
| Cabrera struck out swinging. | 2 | 3 |
| Kinsler flied out to right. | 2 | 3 |
| J.D. Martinez flied out to right. | 2 | 3 |
| 0 Runs, 1 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Minnesota - Bottom of 8th | SCORE | |
| Neftali Feliz pitching for Detroit | DET | MIN |
| Davis in center field. | 2 | 3 |
| Feliz relieved A. Wilson. | 2 | 3 |
| Hicks struck out swinging. | 2 | 3 |
| Dozier fouled out to catcher. | 2 | 3 |
| Mauer grounded out to second. | 2 | 3 |
| 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Detroit - Top of 9th | SCORE | |
| Kevin Jepsen pitching for Minnesota | DET | MIN |
| Hicks in right field. | 2 | 3 |
| Buxton in center field. | 2 | 3 |
| Jepsen relieved Fien. | 2 | 3 |
| V. Martínez reached on infield single to pitcher. | 2 | 3 |
| Moya ran for V. Martínez. | 2 | 3 |
| Collins singled to right, Moya to third, Collins to second advancing on throw. | 2 | 3 |
| Marte singled to center, Moya and Collins scored. | 4 | 3 |
| McCann struck out swinging. | 4 | 3 |
| Avila singled to right, Marte to second. | 4 | 3 |
| Romine grounded into double play, shortstop to first, Avila out at second. | 4 | 3 |
| 2 Runs, 4 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Minnesota - Bottom of 9th | SCORE | |
| Bruce Rondon pitching for Detroit | DET | MIN |
| Rondón relieved Feliz. | 4 | 3 |
| Sanó walked. | 4 | 3 |
| Núñez ran for Sanó. | 4 | 3 |
| Núñez to second on passed ball by McCann. | 4 | 3 |
| Plouffe doubled to left, Núñez scored. | 4 | 4 |
| Robinson ran for Plouffe. | 4 | 4 |
| Buxton sacrificed to pitcher, Robinson to third. | 4 | 4 |
| Rosario intentionally walked. | 4 | 4 |
| Rosario stole second. | 4 | 4 |
| Suzuki grounded into fielder's choice to shortstop, Robinson out at home, Rosario to third. | 4 | 4 |
| Suzuki to second on fielder's indifference. | 4 | 4 |
| Escobar flied out to center. | 4 | 4 |
| 1 Runs, 1 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Detroit - Top of 10th | SCORE | |
| Blaine Boyer pitching for Minnesota | DET | MIN |
| Núñez at third base. | 4 | 4 |
| Robinson in left field. | 4 | 4 |
| Boyer relieved Jepsen. | 4 | 4 |
| Davis grounded out to second. | 4 | 4 |
| Kinsler reached on infield single to second. | 4 | 4 |
| J.D. Martinez struck out swinging. | 4 | 4 |
| Kinsler stole second. | 4 | 4 |
| Moya grounded out to first. | 4 | 4 |
| 0 Runs, 1 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Minnesota - Bottom of 10th | SCORE | |
| Jose Valdez pitching for Detroit | DET | MIN |
| Valdez relieved Rondón. | 4 | 4 |
| Hicks walked. | 4 | 4 |
| Dozier singled to left, Hicks to second. | 4 | 4 |
| Krol relieved Valdez. | 4 | 4 |
| Mauer struck out swinging. | 4 | 4 |
| Núñez grounded out to second, Hicks to third, Dozier to second. | 4 | 4 |
| Robinson flied out to center. | 4 | 4 |
| 0 Runs, 1 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Detroit - Top of 11th | SCORE | |
| Neal Cotts pitching for Minnesota | DET | MIN |
| Cotts relieved Boyer. | 4 | 4 |
| Collins flied out to center. | 4 | 4 |
| Marte flied out to center. | 4 | 4 |
| McCann flied out to right. | 4 | 4 |
| 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Minnesota - Bottom of 11th | SCORE | |
| Ian Krol pitching for Detroit | DET | MIN |
| Buxton flied out to center. | 4 | 4 |
| Vargas hit for Cotts. | 4 | 4 |
| Vargas struck out looking. | 4 | 4 |
| Suzuki fouled out to catcher. | 4 | 4 |
| 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Detroit - Top of 12th | SCORE | |
| Brian Duensing pitching for Minnesota | DET | MIN |
| Duensing relieved Cotts. | 4 | 4 |
| Avila struck out looking. | 4 | 4 |
| Romine singled to right. | 4 | 4 |
| Romine stole second. | 4 | 4 |
| Davis popped out to shortstop. | 4 | 4 |
| Kinsler singled to right center, Romine scored. | 5 | 4 |
| J.D. Martinez homered to left (380 feet), Kinsler scored. | 7 | 4 |
| Moya struck out looking. | 7 | 4 |
| 3 Runs, 3 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Minnesota - Bottom of 12th | SCORE | |
| Ian Krol pitching for Detroit | DET | MIN |
| Escobar lined out to left. | 7 | 4 |
| Hicks walked. | 7 | 4 |
| Dozier grounded into double play, shortstop to second to first, Hicks out at second. | 7 | 4 |
| 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Detroit Tigers | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hitters | AB | R | H | RBI | BB | SO | #P | AVG | OBP | SLG |
| Gose CF | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 16 | .260 | .323 | .377 |
a-Cabrera PH
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | .335 | .438 | .540 |
Davis CF
| 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | .248 | .296 | .426 |
| Kinsler 2B | 6 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 12 | .300 | .348 | .436 |
| J.D. Martinez RF | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 27 | .288 | .347 | .553 |
| V. Martínez DH | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 18 | .239 | .294 | .350 |
Moya PR-DH
| 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 8 | .200 | .273 | .400 |
| Collins LF | 5 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 25 | .273 | .309 | .416 |
| Marte 3B | 4 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 16 | .250 | .328 | .467 |
| McCann C | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 16 | .272 | .308 | .406 |
| Avila 1B | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 25 | .186 | .325 | .261 |
| Romine SS | 5 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 14 | .260 | .307 | .331 |
| Totals | 45 | 7 | 13 | 7 | 4 | 10 | 183 | |||
| a-struck out swinging for A Gose in the 8th | ||||||||||
| BATTING 2B: Collins (9, E. Santana) HR: J.D. Martinez (37, 12th inning off Duensing 1 on, 2 Out) RBI: Collins 2 (16), Marte 2 (9), Kinsler (69), J.D. Martinez 2 (96) 2-out RBI: Collins 2, Kinsler, J.D. Martinez 2 GIDP: McCann, Romine 2, Avila Tigers RISP: 3-8 (Davis 0-1, Romine 0-1, Marte 1-2, Moya 0-1, V. Martínez 0-1, Kinsler 1-1, Collins 1-1) Team LOB: 6 | ||||||||||
| BASERUNNING SB: Kinsler (9, 2nd base off Boyer/Suzuki); Romine (9, 2nd base off Duensing/Suzuki) | ||||||||||
| FIELDING E: Romine (5, throw) DP: 2 (Collins-Kinsler, Romine-Kinsler-Avila). PB: McCann. Outfield Assist: Collins (Hicks at 2nd base). | ||||||||||
Game Notes
| The game is underway after a 1 hour and 4 minute delay. |
| 3B CASTELLANOS (LEFT GROIN TIGHTNESS) SCRATCHED FROM STARTING LINEUP |
Game Information
| Stadium | Target Field, Minneapolis, MN |
| Attendance | 22,509 (57.7% full) - % is based on regular season capacity |
| Game Time | 4:17 |
| Weather | 79 degrees, overcast |
| Wind | 13 mph |
| Umpires | Home Plate - Adam Hamari, First Base - Angel Hernandez, Second Base - Chris Conroy, Third Base - Ted Barrett |
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